Pulp-molding machine



F. LOUISOT March 22, 1927.

PULP MOLDI NG MACHIN Original Filed July 11, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5'I/Illfllllll llllilllllli) ,7 W a ATTORNEY March 22,1927. 1,621,593

F. LOUISOT I PULP MOLDING- MACHINE Original Filed July 11, 1925 I 5Sheets-Sheet 4" III! 1,1111 '11wlllllllll/Illlllrll/lz nil-mm "III-Ill!LEW 8 INVENTOR March 22, 1-927.

F. LdulsoT PULP MOLDING MACHINE Original F i1ed July 11,

1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 IINVENTQ'RV /2;V'ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1192 7.

; UNITED. S ATE PATENT [oi-Pica. I

FELIX' LOUISOYI, OF NEW FORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO VACUUM PULP PRODUCTSCOB- POBA'I'ION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y A COMPANY OF VIRGINIA.

- PULP-HOLDING macnmii.

Application cleanl n, 1a2s, ser1a1 110.650,?89. Renewed August is,1926'.

This invention relates to the manufacture of articles from wood pulpsimilar nature.

Some of the more important objects of the 5 invention are tosimplifythestructure, to facilitate and expedite the operation and to increasethe capacity and possible output of machines of this character.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of theinvention shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of thisspecification, bllt lt to be understood that this illustration isprimarily for purposes of disclosure and that or material-of a thestructure may be modified in various respects withoutdeparture from thebroad spirit of the invention as will beyapparent from the scope of theappended claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with the pulp feed tank andcertain other parts broken away for lack of space.

Figure 2 is a top plan and partial; sectional view of the machine on asomewhat larger, scale. 7

Figure 3 is a broken sectional view taken partly on the longitudinalcenter line of the machine. v v 4 Figure 4is a fragmentary sectionalview of the suction and pressure connection for the movable bottom ofthe mold chamber. Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the machine astaken on substantially the plane of line 5-5 of Figure 1 with one of themolds inside the mold chamber appearing in section. Figures 6 and? arebroken sectional detail views of the pulp supply and back wash couplingfor the movable mold chamber bottom, illustrating said coupling in bothits projected and retracted positions.

Figure 8 is a broken cross sectional view of one of the molds in themold chamber.

Figure 9 is a perspective detail view of a two part mold constructed toproduce an article in the form of a toy rabbit.

Figure 10 is a detail of the product of this mold. I Figure 11 is abroke'n detail view illustrating the toggle action for closing the moldchamber. p a

In the illustration 15 designates the mold hamber which is ha e of sl ngtsd conwithin the mold chamber to serve in effect as a table for themolds and molded products and this raised portion isspaced inwardly awayfrom the slde walls of the chamber to provide a drainage'channel 18 inthe base of the chamber. I

The body of the mold chamber is shown as supportedon the upper ends ofposts or columns 19 and these columns are utilized as guides for themovable bottom of the mold chamber by providing the bottom withsleeve-like extensions 20 at the opposite ends of the same slidinglyfitted over such posts.

To operate the movable bottom, links 21 are shown pivoted at 22 upwithin the hollow raised portion of the bottom and pivotpluralitybranally connected at their lower ends at 23 with arms 24 carried byshafts 25 journaled in bearing brackets 26 secured on 'the columns,

said shafts being. equipped with pinions 27 engaged by gears 28 on shaft29 which is journaled in the same bearing brackets and is provided witha suitable operating handle 30. It will be evident that by operatingthis handle the crank arms will be oscillated to raise and lower thebottom and the arms and 'linksare preferably so proportioned and thevarious centers so disposed that saidv arms and links will operateastoggles to lock the mold bottom in the closed position. To,

limit the past-centermovement of such toggles the handle carrying shaftmay serve as a stop limiting the throw of the crank arms. substantiallyas indicated in Figure 11.

" In'large machines the mold chamber bottom may be quite heavy and thesame is therefore preferably counter balanced as by means ofcounterbalancing weights 31 and 132 at o posite ends of the machine; thefirst being s own as having a cable 33 extending over a sheave 34 toalug 35 projecting laterally from one of the guide'sleeves and the l thebottom member will be securely held and locked in closed position.

The molds are shown arranged 1n a row within the mold chamber and as oftwo part construction opening toward opposite sides of the chamber. Inthe present example the molds are given. the conformation to produce thetoy rabbit shown in Figure 10, and are made in halves 40, 41, separableon a wavy line 42, Figures 5 and 9, at approx1- mately the longitudinalcenter of the article.

The mold walls may be provided by wire gauze or the like, reinforced andcarried by suitably shaped frames 43 faced off at their. upper and lowerends at 44 and 45 to slidingly engage transverse guides 46 in the top ofthe chamber and the flat screen or perforate support 47 carried by thetable.

The mold frames are also shown as constructed with hubsor sockets 48 forthe plungers or rods 49 by which the mold sections are shifted. Theforaminous support 47 is shown as rested on teeth or ridges 50 so as topermit free drainage through the same and the mold frames are ,suitablyribbed so as to expose the foraminous moldwall as much as possible.

The mold rods 49 slide through suitable stuffing boxes 51 in theopposite sides of the mold chamber and are actuated to open up or closeall of the molds substantially simultaneously by arms 52 having forkedlower ends engaged betweencollars 53 on the outer ends of the rods, saidarms being adjustably clamped at their upper ends at 54 on outwardlyprojecting studs 55 carried by the bars 56, 57 slidably supported at theopposite sides of the head of the machine by the inwardly projectingslide rods 58 working in transversebearings 59 on the top of themachine. The slides thus formed are simultaneously shifted in oppositedirections .by transverse shafts 60, having reversely threadedscrews61,62 at opposite ends of the same and engaged in screw seats 63, 64 inthe ends of the heads 56, 57. For rotating these screw shafts there isshown a shaft 65 extending longitudinally of the machine, having anoperating. hand wheel 66 conveniently disposed at the same end of themachinewhere the mold chamber controlling handle 30 is located, saidshaft having spiral gears 67 in mesh with interfitting gears 68 on thetransverse screw shafts."

1,c21,5ea

From this it will be seen that by turning the hand wheel all the moldscan be opened and closed substantially simultaneously. The individualadjustment of the dependent shiftmg arms 52 on their supporting studs 55enables, the parts being set to effect the desired results and to handledifferent shapes and sizes of molds.

The wood pulp or other material in the machine illustrated is fed from atank 69 containing a float actuated valve for maintaining the pulp at aheight sufficient to provide a gravity flow into the molds. This tank isconnected by piping 70 with a suitable source of supply and is connectedby other piping 71 to a special coupling 72 in the side of the moldchamber which is arranged to provide communication with a conduit 73having branches 74 with vertical sleeve is shown as faced with a rubberor,

other compressible gasket 81. The shifting and securing of thecouplingsleeve is effected by a cam motion including a cam slot 82 cut in thehousing 79 and receiving a pin or stud 83 projecting from the sleeve. InFigure 6 the handle 83 is shown as having been turned to advance thesame in the cam slot and hence bring the coupling sleeve into closefitting abutting engagement with-the lower end of the pulp conduit 73,while in Figure 7 the parts are indicated as they appear when the handleis turned in the reverse direction to retract the sleeve and uncouple itfrom the conduit.

The flow of pulp is controlled by a valve 84 interposed in the pulpline, which may be-of the three-way type, arranged'in one position toprovide a direct flow of pulp from the tank to the molds and adapted inanother position to shut off the supply of .pulp and open the moldconduit to an exhaust on so-called backwash outlet 85.

Another valve 86 of the three-way type may be provided in this backwashconnection, adapted in normal position to rovide an exhaust passage forthe backwas and adapted in second position to cut off this outlet andprovide communication with a compressed air supply pipe 87, the rate'offlow through which may be' governed by an interposed hand valve 88-. Abranch 89 of the compressed air pipe is shown as opening into valve 91.

To 'b uild up a deposit of material against the mold walls, suction ispreterablv applied outside the mold, in. the present; disclosure,

I by means'of a suction conduit 92 under control of a valve 93 connectedby a detachable coupling 94 at the side of the mold'chamber with aconduit 95 opening into the lower or drainage channel portion of themold cham- The coupling 94 serves asa comb ned sue-- tion and drainageconnection and is shown as constructed after the manner of the pulpsupply coupling, that is, with a'handle 96 operating in a cam slot 97 toshift a slidablc coupling sleeve 98 into and out of connection with theend flange 99 of the suction conduit 95. This coupling is shown as carred by a bracket 100 dependent from the side of the mold chamber to bringthe coupling to a level low enough to drain the mold chamber.

A branch from the suction line is indi-. cated at 101 opening into themold chamber by way of a part of the pressure connection 89 and underco'ntrolof a hand valve 102.

0pera.tz'0n-.With the molds and mold chamber closed as shown in Figures1, 3, 5,

and 8, the usual method of procedure is to first open the pulp valve. 84and fill themolds by gravity. The building up of the first few layers onthe mold Walls is then initiated by opeing up the .small suction valve102 to create a limited suction Within the mold chamber, after which themain suction valve 93 is opened to more forcefully buildup the depositand remove some of the excess water. The pulp valve 84 may.

then be turned to cut 0d the supply of pulp andrelease the backwash orexcess pulp in the molds. After draining 03 the backwash the valve 86may be turned to close off the outlet for the backwash and open up thecompressed air supply to the interior of the molds. Then with 'suctiononthe outside and pressure on the inside of the .moldsgthe deposit iscompacted and solidified and the free moisture removed. A final drainmay.

i 3 pressure within the mold chamber has the efbe efiected with thesuction shut oil and the compressed air) on inside the molds.- afterwhich the alr pressure within the molds may be shutoff and the valve 9(lopened to admit pressure to the mold chamber outside the molds.' {Thisbuilding up of pressure on the outside of -the molds tends to loosen theproducts from the mold walls and toproduce a series of distinctloosening shocks, there is nsuallyprovided what is known as a fluttervalve 103, Figures'2'and 3, in the form of a spring-tensioned valvewhich will open to atmosphere upon accumulation of apredetermined.pressurewithin the mold chamber. The alternate building upand release of The molds are opened through operation of the hand wheel66 and this may be done while the shock pressure is still on so as toautomatically etlect a separation of the product at the moment the moldsare actually opcned. The separation of the cooperating mold sectionsleaves the molded products supported on the screen carried by the tableor mold bottom so thatwith the pres sure cut off the mold bottom canthen be lowered .LO expose and deliver the molded products.

As an aid to the most effective operation of the machine, a sight glass104 may be provided in one end of the mold chamber, giving a lengthwiseview of the interior of the chamber and a longitudinally extendingwlnproper operation of all the molds within the chamber.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus-of the character described,

a mold chamber open at its lower. end. a pulp supply conduit leadingthrough a side wall of the'mold chamber, a movable closure for said openlower end and a sectionalized mold within the mold chamber, the closurehaving The latter is particularly luu a pulp supply passage extendingupwardly into communication with the interior of the mold and having atits lower end a detachthe closure. 4

'2. The structureof claim -1 with parts of the detachable couplingcarried the side of the mold chamber.

3. The structure of clainrl with the sections of the mold operated byrods extending in through opposite sides of the mold chamher and themold sections having parts at their upper and lower ends slidingly engaging the top of the mold chamber and the closure respectively.

4. The structure of'claim 1 with-a perforate plate supported by theclosure and forming a' bottom to the mold.

.5. The structure of claim 1 with a suction and drainage passage in theclosure provided with a detachable coupling.

6. The structure of claim 1- with the detachable couplin including arotatable and longitudinally slidable coupling SlBQXG arranged to beadvanced and retracted by an inclined cam.

7. The structure of claim 1 with a suction and drainage outlet passagein the closure provided with a detachable coupling and the detachablecouplings comprising in each case a rotatable and slidable couplingsleeve arranged to be advanced and retracted by an inclined cam. I

v 8. The structure of claim 1 in which the I closureextends upward intothe mold chamher and a drainage'channel in the bottom of the moldchamber about the lower portion of the closure.

9. The structure of claim 1 with a drainage channel in the bottom of themold chamher and a'suction and drainage conduit opening to said channeland provided with a detachable coupling.

10. The structure of claim 1 in which the closure has a raised centralportion providing an elevated table cooperating with the lower end ofthe. mold and an outstanding flange at its lower end for cooperationwith dependent side walls of the mold chamber.

11.- The structure of claim 1 with a perforate support on the closurecooperating with the bottom of the mold and a tubular extension of thepulp conduit projecting up through said chamber.

12. The structure of claim 1 in which the mold chamber has a guide inthe top thereof and in which the closure also has a guiding surface,which guides cooperate with the perforate support into the mold upperand lower endsof the mold sections to guide the same for opening andclosing movements.

13. The structure of-claim 1 in which the mold chamber has a. guide'inthe top thereof and in which the closure also has a guiding surface,which guides cooperate with the upper and lower ends of the moldsections to guide the same for opening and closing movements, with meansextending in through the sides of the mold chamber'for operating.

means for operating with the movable closure having guides slidinglyengaging said standards, lugs rojecting from opposite sides of said guies and counterbalancing means connected with said oppositely extendinglugs.

17. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a mold chamberof greaterlengththan width, a row of separate molds within said elongated chamber,the mold chamber having amovable wall capable of'supporting a row ofobjects produced bysaid molds,

.means for operating the molds to leave the molded objects supported onsaid wall and means for shifting the wall to-carry the .sup-

ported objects clear of the mold chamber.

' 18. In apparatus of the character disclosed, an elongated mold chamberhaving an open bottom, a movable closure for said bottom, a row ofseparable molds within the elongated mold chamber, operating connec-.'

tions for said molds entered through the sides of the mold chamber,means for actuating said connections substantially simul-.

taneously and means for operating the closure for the bottom of the moldchamber.

19. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber having anopening for the discharge of the molded products, a movable closure forsaid opening, a series of separable molds within the mold chamber,operating rods for the molds entered through opposite sides of the moldchamber, slides carrying arms engaged with said rods andmeans forsimultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directions.

20. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber having anopening for the discharge of the molded products, a movable closure forsaid opening, a series of separable molds within the mold chamber,operating rods for the molds entered through opposite sidesof the moldchamber, slides carrying arms engaged with said rods, means forsimultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directions, includingshafts having reversely threaded screws engaged with theslides and anactuating shaft geared to said 7 screw shafts.

21. The structure of claim 19 "in which independentadjustment isprovided at the connecting arms between the slides and rods.

22. In apparatus of the character discloied, a mold chamber, separablemolds therein, slides supported on the mold chamber, means forsubstantially simultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directionsand connections from said slides entered through opposite sides of'themold chamber -into engagement with the sections of the separable molds.

'23. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber havingtransverse bearings, slide: at opposite sides of the mold chambersupported by certain of said bearings, transverse screw shafts supportedby other of the bearings and having reversely perforate support on topof the closure about screw"thre'aded-engagement with therespecthetubular extensions and providing a ottive tslides, common means foroperating tomwall for the severalm ld both screw shafts, separablemoldsin the 31; In apparatus o mold chamber and connections iromjtheclo;ed, a moldchamber having a mova e o s.- the character disslidesentered through opposite sides or the closure provided withproiections,a ioramimold chamber into engagement with the sec-t n'ous supportbearing on said projections. an tions of the separable molds; separabletoraminous molds having one wal 24;. In apparatus ot' the characterdisprovided by said ioraminous suppor 1o closed, upright columns, aninverted mold 02. In apparatus of the character dischambersu'pported onsaid columns, a clocloied, a mo bylsaid columns, means for shifting saidclonous support bearing on said projections, e sure, a separable moldwithin the mold chamseparable foraminous molds having one wa l her andmeansior operating the separable )rovided by said r'oraminous supportand,tuo u a bular supply connections extending through 25. In apparatusof the character 'disthe foraminous support into said moldst closed,upright columns, an inverted mold 33. In I apparatus the character dis--o chamber supported on said columns, a cloclosed, a perforate moldhaying .separable by said colurmis, means for shifting SEtIdJGlO'guides, guiding surfaces slidingly engage sure, including two sets oftoggle arms conby said guides, one of said guidinglsuriaces nected forsubstantially simultaneous operabeing perforate and forming a wa tion bya shaft wurnaled in brackets mountof the mold and means r'or relativelyshiftthe mold chamber and-means for operating ing the mold. 4 v theseparable mol 34. .In apparatus of the character dis- 26. In apparatusof the character disclosed, a mold chamber, a plurality of perclosedfamold chamber open at its lower end, 'forate molds therein, means for fiing the 3 a closure for said mold chamber provided same with a moldablematerial and means withinthe mold chamber in communication sure for saidmold chamber slidingly guided closure provided with projections, aioramisure ror said mold chamber slidingly guided sections provided atopposite ends with ed on the columns, a separable mold within ingthemold sections for opening and closwith a pulp inlet and below that asuction for impart ng a series oi impacts to molded 35 with the-pulpinlet. 35. In "apparatus of the character 1 dis? 27. In apparatus oi thecharacter di closed, a mold chamber, a perforate mol closed, uprightcolumns,an inverted" mold within said chamber, means for supplying.

chamber su ported on said columns, a cloa moldable mater al to saidchamber an 40 by said columns, means for shit mg said rapidlyrecurringseparating impacts to mamounted on thecolumns, a separable mold anelongated movable bottom provided at within the mold chamber and meansfor opopposite ends with reversely projecting laty W1 the movement orthe toggles past center. means for shifting the bottom, aided by said28. In .apparatus of the character discounterbalanci'ng means h saidextensions an operating closed, a mo d chamber having a movable 37. Inapparatus of the character disen from up through the top oi said closureand theretoand an automatically operating presseparable molds within themold chamber, sure releasing valve, a perforate mold withir incommunication with the several branches, the chamber and a pulp supplyconnection t saubibrancltes having tubular extensions prosaidperioratemol ng up mto the sep'arable molds.-- '39. In apparatus of thecharacter die 30. The structure of claim 29' with a closed, a moldchamber having a movab closure provided with a pulp inlet in' one"closed, a mold chamber having a'movable within the coupling sleeve.

' and for advancing sleeve for wall provided with a conduit and nectionsfor said conduit, including a slidablyand rotatably for cooperation withe e V .a relatively rotatable in and cam slot and retracting the sleevewith respect to the closed, 'a mold chamber having a movable wallprovided with a co cooperation conduit, a housing and provided with on t1c s ecve operating in the sleeve operating in said slot saidlousingbeing carried mold chamber.

character dischamber having a movable with a conduit, a. coupling napparatus of the closed, a mold wall provided material, applying impactsof 7 pressure to th sleeve for cooperation'with the end conduit, a ousinsupporting and provided with a coupling sleeve having at its a gasket 40fitting connection with t 1e end of the conduit.

n. apparatus of closed, an elongated mold chamber,

apparatus of the character disr, a separable mold therein, means forcreating pressure within article with V lining mold walls and means foropening the mold while said separating pressure is operative.

46. Th charging material, applying of said e process of molding whichincludes mold With moldable pressure to the exterior mold toseparate-the mold om the confining mold walls and e the separatingpresmold and opening themold during tion of'such separating impacts. Intestimony whereof I afiix m signature. FELIX L UISOT.

